when you have what ifs which a a possibility how do i stop doing compulsions because my mind is believing every what if to fit my real event and i don't know how to stop it's causing me misery and i'm not happy it's all my minds consumed with every single day the same what ifs to my real event 😣
Yeah tell me about it!
The What-Ifs, are a classic part of OCD. The disorder is trying to trap you to get on its rumination treadmil, so you'll spend the entire day in anxiety, trying to find that magic bullet that will convince you that the what-ifs won't happen. The way to get past it is to use ERP tools. You need to stay in uncertainty by accepting the possibility, no matter how remote, that it could happen. You also need to stay in the present: what's happening or not happening NOW. Soooo, when you have a flare up you say to yourself "I accept the uncertainty that this could actually happen (or I would actually do it), because I don't know the future AND NEITHER DO YOU, OCD, but it's not happening now, I'm not plotting for it to happen, and I have free will." Over time, this is kryptonite to OCD. Also, and this very important, if you don't have a trained OCD therapist in your corner, one who uses ERP therapy, please get one. I can speak from personal experience that they make all the difference. You can find great ones through the NOCD website of by accessing the International OCD Foundation's website. Hope this helps.
@Steven55! my what ifs are from a past event not the future, im on a waiting list for up to 16 weeks they specialise in ocd and do cbt and erp, i can't fund for a therapist through NOCD i wished i could.
@Steven55! Thank you 🙏🏼 It was helpful to me! I’m reaching out to a therapist that uses ERP as #1 on my to do’s
@NaggingOCD - That's okay, you're still heading in the right direction.
@Jillybobs7 - You're on your way to recovery, Jillbobs!
@Steven55! thankyou i say maybe maybe not but sometimes the feeling of not knowing just takes over me
@NaggingOCD - I know... It takes time to rewire the malware in our brains, but if you stick to it you'll get a great deal of relief. The fact that you're on a list for a trained OCD therapist is huge, especially since you have some issues in your personal history that you need to let go of.
@Steven55! thankyou i'll keep trying
@NaggingOCD - OCD will fight you, but stick with it. And don't beat yourself up if you when you have bad days. Even when you get your therapist, recovery is messy, not linear.
@Steven55! thankyou i'll keep that in mind
I guess some days are harder than others, as are some times going through the years with this I have been able to cope and change my mindset for the better. Then along comes stress and fear and it all goes back to ground zero! And that is where I am these days unfortunately. I wasn’t even going to get on the sight for fear of what if’s but I’m actually comforted being here now. I hope it helps knowing we’re not alone. There is always medication. I have done that with good results and some not so positive reactions to the medication. Ugh it’s a risk and I was thinking I may need to take that road again. Best of health
Usually my compulsions are always motivated by fear. I feel like a child when I have compulsions. Like for example, my brain convinces me that someone is in my house and I need to open every cabinet and all the shower curtains, and do tons of other crazy things like march instead of walking so that if someone where to shoot at my legs they'd have less of a chance of hitting me. How do I stop it? I am just going about my day and I can see in my head, myself getting attacked or something and so my only option to calm myself down is to do a bunch of random actions that will keep me "safe". Does anyone else experience this? Or convince themselves that they are under Milo Murphys law? That anything bad that can happen to them will, so they need to never do anything that could result in anything bad, and avoid everything? And how do you convince yourself you're not in danger?
does anyone has any tips how to stop the "what if cycle"?? i have very disturbing what if thoughts on daily basis and they're rlly scary always. i know they're not real but sometimes they feel so real and possible to happen and i hate this
What if this and what if that. It’s all harm related and the urges feel so real I just can’t stand this anymore. Does anyone have any advice that has conquered OCD harm intrusive thoughts. I have them 24/7 and they are so scary.
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